Is UBlock Origin dead in Chrome? The new update says yes, but here’s how to get your ad blocker back

The changes in Google Chrome Manifest v3 nearly killed fan-favorite extensions like uBlock Origin, but flags kept the dream alive for a little while longer. Unfortunately, the party is over, as the latest Chrome update removes the fix flags that allowed uBlock Origin to continue working. However, as with workarounds, there is a new one to get uBlock Origin working in Chrome again. However, a good tip might be to explore alternatives for your ad blocking needs.

Chrome v142 removes solution flags

Chrome v142 began rolling out last week to the stable branch for desktop users, and the release expanded widely this week. Users who updated Chrome (or logged into their computer and found it updating automatically) will receive the message that uBlock Origin has been disabled once again, as it is no longer supported.

This was a long time coming. Chrome version 139, which was released in late 2024, transitioned to Manifest V3, effectively shutting down the methods by which ad blocking extensions such as uBlock Origin worked. Users found that they could simply turn uBlock Origin back on; However, this method stopped working with the next Chrome update.

Users then had to enable the “Allow legacy extension manifest versions” flag in Chrome and manually load uBlock Origin to restore it to a working state. This would surely be a short-lived fix, as the flag itself ominously stated that “This should only be used to maintain legacy extensions and will be removed in the future.” This future is here with Chrome v142, as this flag and other legacy flags are nowhere to be found, effectively killing uBlock Origin for good.

You can still use uBlock Origin, but with more tweaks

uBlock Origin can still be used, but no longer with experimental (and easily accessible) flags. Users now have to resort to command line modifications to make it work, as shared by Redditor. DerpyMD. Follow these steps if you really need to get uBlock Origin working with Chrome again:

1. Right click on your Chrome shortcut on your Windows PC.
2. Select Properties.
3. In it Aim field, add the following code after “….chrome.exe”:

Make sure there is white space between the two strings.

Now, when you start or restart Chrome through this shortcut, you will be able to activate Developer mode for Extensions and subsequently return uBlock Origin to its working state.

You will need to unpin older Chrome shortcuts and pin this edited one back to the taskbar.

Maybe it’s time to explore alternatives

While there are no ominous warnings this time around, it’s clear that Manifest v2 extensions don’t have to live forever. As such, it’s best to make peace with the fact that uBlock Origin won’t be available in Chrome forever.

If you want to continue using uBlock Origin, you will need to switch to an alternative browser, such as Firefox. For those who find it difficult to leave Chrome behind, you can try uBlock Origin Lite and see if it meets your ad blocking needs.